Goncalo Alves vs Walnut Combat Grips (how do you tell the diff?)

[JayHutch]

Gang,

I have two sets of S&W N Frame combat grips. One perfect set came on a beautiful 586 (no dash) dated 1986 I bought this summer and obviously they don't fit quite right. They are supposed to be Goncalo Alves on the 586?, or so says the literature in the original box/paperwork. Here is the thread where we concluded these are the wrong grips for the 586, even tho the grip date stamp is same year. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/282225-goncalo-alves-grips-k-l-n-frame.html And here is the original thread about the 586 GSF where I mentioned I might get out a file and sand down this furniture to fix. Interesting response #12 from AverageEd. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/281639-new-gsf-s-w-586-no-dash-id-help.html

I bought another set on eBay, but turns out they don't fit the 586 either, or my 13-2! Must also be N frame combat grips too. Arrrrgg. Both sets sit proud at the top rear on my 586 & 13-2 (see photo attached).

So I need to sell them, but need to know whether to call them Goncalo Alves, or Walnut N grips, or does it matter? I have always thought Goncalo Alves was more desirable. Since I seem to have 2 N frame combat grip sets, not for my vintage 586, how do I tell if they are Goncalo Alves or Walnut? I want to list them properly here on SWF or elsewhere. Any thoughts or advice? Be gentle.

- hutch

 

[weatherby]

Can you take a picture of the inside of the stocks ?

The set you have pictured are target stocks.

Most likely they will be Gonco

 

[AveragEd]

They are Goncalo Alves and typically bring $50 to $75, depending upon wood figure. Yours are about normal for the breed in that department. Truly unique sets with drop-dead-gorgeous wood will fetch over $100. Walnut is a much browner wood and figure in it often is from water lines, which turn the wood in those areas black. Goncalo Alves typically comes in varying shades of reds, golds and black but I have several sets that are more brown than usual.

Ed

 

[JayHutch]

They are Goncalo Alves and typically bring $50 to $75, depending upon wood figure. Yours are about normal for the breed in that department. Truly unique sets with drop-dead-gorgeous wood will fetch over $100. Walnut is a much browner wood and figure in it often is from water lines, which turn the wood in those areas black. Goncalo Alves typically comes in varying shades of reds, golds and black but I have several sets that are more brown than usual.

Ed

TX Ed - I'll sell 'em as Goncalo Alves. - hutch

 

[Culina]

They are GA but look more like they are for an N-frame than a K/L Frame

 

[JayHutch]

Can you take a picture of the inside of the stocks ?

The set you have pictured are target stocks.

Most likely they will be Gonco

Hey Weatherby - here are some pic's of the one set inside & out. Also took a pic of a small chip on the heel that hurts the set cosmetically. Too bad, cause they are beautiful other than that chip. The other set is "as new" but with a date of Aug 1986, and no large metal washer inside.

Look like Goncalo to you? How much you think I should ask for the set with the chip? How about the perfect one's? - hutch

 

[weatherby]

Hey Weatherby - here are some pic's of the one set inside & out. Also took a pic of a small chip on the heel that hurts the set cosmetically. Too bad, cause they are beautiful other than that chip. The other set is "as new" but with a date of Aug 1986, and no large metal washer inside.

Look like Goncalo to you? How much you think I should ask for the set with the chip? How about the perfect one's? - hutch

Goncalo for sure...also N frame for sure
40-55 for chipped probably 65 for the other set.